Chapter 17

Chapter 17

"What are you talking about? What's going on?" Tess asked Larek.

"I'm not sure if Liz wants to tell everyone or if I should. Liz?" Liz gave a puzzled look. Larek walked over to Liz and touched her hand and looked into her eyes. Liz's eyes filled with tears. A lone tear slowly ran down her cheek. Max almost thought that Larek was hurting her until Liz turned to Max and through their connection showed him. Max's eyes were also filled with tears. Max grabbed Liz and brought her into a bear hug. 'I love you so much.' Max thought to Liz. 'So this is okay?' Liz asked. 'Not great timing but yes. I didn't think it was possible, but I think I love you more.' Max thought back.

"Hello! Many people still confused over here. What's going on? Why are you guys crying?" Isabel yelled to the couple impatiently.

Liz looked up at Max. He nodded in agreement. Liz looked at everyone and simply said, "I'm pregnant."  Everyone stood shocked for a minute, and then erupted in congratulations. Isabel pulled Liz into a hug and whispered "Your going to make me an aunt! Thank you!" Isabel then hugged her brother. Michael went up to Max and simply said "nice work, daddy." Max knew not to be offended; that was just Michael's way of being happy for him. Liz felt a little awkward when Tess came up to her and pulled her into a hug. Liz wasn't sure if Tess would resent her not only going to marry Max but now have his child. "Congratulations Liz. Don't worry just let me baby-sit every once in a while okay?" Liz with a huge smile on her face just nodded. 'Wait till Maria and Alex find out!' Liz thought.

"Now that the congratulations are out of the way we have to talk seriously. This baby, as great as it will be, is going to put a strain on our plan. The problem is that you have to be very careful Liz about how much power you exert. Losing too much energy won't just hurt you now; it could kill the baby. I'm not sure what this baby will do to you Liz. It could give you more energy or it could drain you more quickly. There are too many variables to come close to any conclusion. Also if Kivar finds out that you are pregnant Liz who knows what he might do. He might try and take the baby from you and place it in a pod so that he can mass-produce it. Or he might try and kill you and the baby to ensure his place as king. If it wasn't for you power to kill skins like that I wouldn't even consider letting you go into the palace, but we have no choice." Larek explained.

"So what is the plan anyways? You never did tell us what we are going to do." Isabel asked.

"Well I didn't want to alarm you, but early this morning our spies found out that Kivar has been told that Darran is dead. He was also informed that the royal four and the legendary hybrid have left Earth. Luckily for your friends, he has called all of his soldiers back to Antar, so they shouldn't have any problems with anymore skins. There is a lot of risk involved; I won't lie. My men and myself can only help you break into the palace, after that its up to you five. The more people who enter the palace the easier it will be for the skins to be alerted to your presence. We are told that Kivar has a meeting in the morning with his advisors about you five and what he wants to do about your escape. That is our only shot to getting this done." Larek explained. Larek went on the specifics of everyone's jobs. With a little apprehension everyone agreed to the plan.

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Max couldn't help but really worry about the plan. 'I know Liz has to be there, but what if something goes wrong? I can't lose her or our baby. What if I die? Our baby would grow up not knowing his or her father. There are too many variables in the plan, I don't like it.' Max grabbed Liz's hand and escorted her into their room.

"Max I know your nervous about this, so am I, but we got to do it." Liz eyed Max to see if she needed further convincing. Max just looked at Liz like she was this fragile glass that could be broken at the drop of a hat. Liz sighed and pulled her fiancée into a hug. 'Max the prophecy said that we would marry, have a child, and bring peace to our worlds. Look, we are engaged and I'm pregnant. We are almost there, don't quit on me now.' Liz thought to Max. Max just kissed the top of her head and tried to hold onto her like there was no tomorrow. Max had a feeling that something would go wrong, and he wasn't looking forward to find out what does.

Liz and Max laid down on their bed and wrapped his arms around Liz. Max just wanted this whole ordeal to just dissipate. Liz could feel his uneasiness. She knew something that might help him fall asleep. She thought of a song by Ginny Owens. She placed could hear it in her head. She sent the song to Max through their connection. Max could here a woman softly singing in his head. Liz was right it did help and they both fell asleep with the song filling both their heads.

The pathway is broken
The signs are unclear
I don't know the reason why you led me here
But just because you love me the way that you do
I'm going to walk through the valley
If you want me to
Cause I'm not who I was
When I took my first step

And I'm clinging to the promise you're not through with me yet
So if all of these trials bring me closer to you

I will go through the fire
If you want me to
It may not be the way I would have chosen
When it leads me through a world that's not my home
But you never said it would be easy
You said that I'll never go alone
When the whole world turns against me
And I'm all by myself
And I can't hear you answer my cries for help
I'll remember the suffering your love put you through
And I will go through the valley
If you want me to

Ginny Owens- If You Want Me To

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Everyone got up bright and early. Max, Liz, Tess, Isabel, and Michael were given some clothes that would help them blend better with the crowds. They couldn't risk getting caught, especially before they got in the palace. They made their way through the crowded streets and onto the palace grounds. Larek looked at the five teenagers. "Two of my men will help you in, but after that you will have to go on your own. The others and I must depart here. We all have faith in you. Just be careful, especially you Liz. When you have used your blue light Liz we will come get you. If anything goes wrong we will know and will try and help you. Good luck." With that last statement of hope Larek and his men left the palace grounds. The pod squad and Liz looked at each other with worry written all over their faces. Two of Larek's men curled their finger at them motioning at them to follow them.

They followed Chris and Brendan. Since both of them "worked" at the palace no one suspected them. They told the guard at the door that Liz, Max, Isabel, Michael and Tess were Kivar's new servants. The guard nodded his head and allowed him in.  Once inside Liz looked in wonder at the enormous building. It had a long corridor and many rooms. Chris whispered "Everyone know what they are doing?" Everyone nodded. Max and Liz kissed one another and departed. Max and Michael one-way. Isabel, Liz and Tess another way. Chris and Brendan departed into a room.

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"Isabel are you sure about this? I mean something could go wrong." Liz asked almost pleading to give an excuse to leave.

"Don't worry, I know you've got my back." Isabel winked. "Tess are you ready?" Tess looked down at her watch. Tess waited to the exact moment she was supposed to. She looked up and nodded. Isabel sighed, "Here goes nothing." Isabel opened up the double doors and shut them behind her.

Kivar was discussing the royal four and the hybrid returning with his top advisors when he saw Vilandra step into the room. "Speak of the devil. Look what the cat dragged in. Vilandra where are your friends?"

Isabel tried her best to smile and not blast him into tomorrow. "Oh you mean them? They're dead. Couldn't have them coming here and killing my favorite guy now could I?" Isabel said seductively walking over to Kivar. She tried to vomit when speaking those horrible words. "I know you betrayed me in my last life, but I also know how great of a lover you were. I'm willing to bet I'm much better in this life."

Kivar was wary of her. Something wasn't right. But she looked so good in that halter-top. Maybe I could have my way with her, and then kill her. "Really, I guess we'll have to find out won't we?"

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Tess could hear the talking and she knew it was time. She looked liked she was in a trance. Liz knew she was doing it so she opened the doors to the room. She could see Kivar talking to Isabel. They didn't see her! 'Good job Tess!'

Kivar could feel this energy coming out of nowhere. He looked around. Something was going on, and he knew he was in trouble. Isabel knew he was figuring it out. 'Hurry up Liz.' Kivar knew he had been tricked. He grabbed Isabel's arm. "Show yourself or your friend Isabel here is going to die. Don't think I'm bluffing."

Tess was conflicted, she knew Liz could kill them, but wasn't sure if she could do it before Isabel was hurt. Tess took a chance and dropped the mind warp. Tess walked into the room next to Liz. "Let her go Kivar." Tess snapped.

Liz was scared. Things got out of hand so quickly. What was she going to do now? She looked at Isabel who was on the verge of tears. 'I'm sorry Isabel.'

Kivar was pleased. "Where is Zan and Rath?" he asked impatiently, he didn't like having two of them floating around somewhere.

"They died, they didn't survive over here. It's just us. We thought we could do it on our own, but you were too smart for us." Liz lied. She prayed he bought it.

Kivar was also uneasy about that statement. He eyed her. "Well what do we have here, you must be the hybrid. Don't you go and use your powers like you did on my men on Earth. It cost me a lot to have them sent down there, and then you destroyed them. Sure you might be able to kill us, but not before killing your friend Isabel here."

Liz was extremely nervous. 'Max help. We are in trouble Kivar is holding Isabel hostage!' Liz hoped that he could hear her. Kivar saw her uneasy look. "Tell you what. Truthfully I could careless about her, I just want you. You, in exchange for Vilandra. Deal?"

Liz knew that Max and everyone would kill her for this later if she made it out alive, but she didn't have a choice. "Deal." Kivar let go of Isabel's arm. Isabel and Tess screamed at Liz, pleading at her to reconsider. Liz slowly walked over to Kivar who held a hand pointed to Isabel in case Liz chickened out. 'Forgive me for what I'm about to do.'